It was a graveyard smash

I was in the fourth grade when my teacher, Mrs. Lensch, noticed how a group of us boys were quite interested in Halloween monsters. She suggested we put on a Halloween play for the class. So we did. Each of us played the role of one of the classic monsters — Frankenstein, Dracula, the Mummy, the Wolf Man, etc. There were other roles, too, but I don’t recall the details of the play. I do recall staying after school and practicing. When showtime came, we, of course, nailed it. It was probably a four-minute play, but that didn’t matter. What did matter was dressing up in the costumes and make-up and all the fun we had in making it happen. 

I know I am not alone in my fascination with monster movies and the Halloween spirit. For some reason, most all of us are intrigued by it in some say. We may not like being scared, but the fright factor still touches us in ways we can’t seem to resist. Of course, in my childhood, we weren’t exposed to the slasher movies of today. Looking back, it was quite innocent, just like it should have been. 

Meanwhile, monster movies and today’s horror flicks are as popular now as they have ever been. We found a few experts on the subject — Nate Phillips, Greg Wheeler and Brian Hogan, the three guys who host The Fright Zone podcast. They offered comments on their favorite horror films, and the writer of the story, Kristian Day, shared his choices for top horror movie soundtracks as well. 

If you are curious, my fourth-grade play didn’t make either list. 

Remembering Chuck Betts

Michael Gartner offers a wonderful tribute to Chuck Betts, the well-known Des Moines auto dealer who died on Sept. 1, in this issue of CITYVIEW. I knew Mr. Betts and respected him. He was one of the many owners of car dealerships in Des Moines who I worked with in my days at The Des Moines Register that also include Dewey Vukovich, Bud Mulcahy, Stew Hansen and Bill Jensen. I worked primarily with Rich Willis at Betts Cadillac, but I saw Mr. Betts nearly every time I was there, and he greeted me with a wonderful smile and always asked how he could help me. In recent years, Mr. Betts reached out to me via email a few times, inquiring about CITYVIEW and letting me know he was an avid reader. He will be missed. 

It’s hockey time!

As in years past, you will find a season kickoff story on hockey in Des Moines with information on the Iowa Wild as well as the Des Moines Buccaneers. Hockey fanatics will appreciate the details, but you don’t need to know the definition of a face-off or a slap-shot to enjoy great hockey competition in central Iowa. 

Have a great October, and thanks for reading.

Shane Goodman 
Editor and Publisher
CITYVIEW
shane@dmcityview.com
515-953-4822, ext. 305
www.dmcityview.com